Quick Reaction: Raptors 109, Wizards 105

A little bit worrisome at the end, but we’re alright.

Rap Up: Sahal, Oren and Kyle.

A little bit worrisome at the end, but we’re alright.

Raptors109Final
Box Score
105Wizards

A-
P. Siakam41 MIN, 21 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 8-17 FG, 1-2 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +1 +/-

Led with the defense. Rotated to the bucket for contests, jumped guards above the break, and overall contained penetration. He’s been so good on that end lately. On offense, the Wizards were going to surrender a mismatch to he or Scottie and they chose the latter. P backed off and let the rookie carve out space all game, and even hit the kill button on his iso in the last minute to allow a clear out post up for Scottie. Cool acknowledgement of the rookie’s awesome game. A nice cozy 21 & 4.

C+
O. Anunoby41 MIN, 12 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST, 4 STL, 6-13 FG, 0-4 3FG, 0-1 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, -7 +/-

The Wizards really knew how to play him on the post-ups. Leave the baseline and jump him if he takes it. A lot of fruitless possessions and certainly not his best, but his defense was phenomenal throughout and especially on Beal towards the end + a nice putback in the closing seconds.

A+
S. Barnes40 MIN, 27 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 12-19 FG, 0-1 3FG, 3-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -5 +/-

What more could you want? Had the softest touch available as many of his buckets kissed every part of the rim. He bullied every undermatched defender that came his way and hunted the rim with reckless abandon. A couple standout isolations, the pull-up in the 4th really stood out. But honestly, this scoring performance was mostly accomplished by great recognition as a cutter and his incredible skill as a finisher. Made himself available to every entry pass.

B+
F. VanVleet39 MIN, 21 PTS, 1 REB, 12 AST, 2 STL, 6-17 FG, 4-11 3FG, 5-5 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, +8 +/-

Not as many blitzes as past games, so we saw a more traditional 21-22 version of VanVleet. Did a fantastic job of stonewalling Dinwiddie’s drives and forced him to shoot triples (which he shot well, but thems the breaks). Clutch three to make up for a really poor decision the possession before. Continues to make tons of positive reads as the lead ball handler. A consummate professional and All-Star having a so-so game.

C
G. Trent Jr.29 MIN, 13 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4-12 FG, 3-7 3FG, 2-3 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -1 +/-

Basically, you’re looking for him to hit the 3’s that no one has been hitting over the past chunk of games – and he did. The off the bounce stuff wasn’t successful and he was the victim of a few back cuts at the start of the game, but this is the first step back on an injured ankle. It’ll come around.

A-
C. Boucher22 MIN, 10 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 4-7 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +10 +/-

Once again, essential to the very fiber of this team. Right on time rotations and contests, long and disruptive in his court coverage, and canned two triples. He’s giving so much lately.

B
P. Achiuwa19 MIN, 5 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-5 FG, 1-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +11 +/-

As always, the disparity between the offense and defense was on display. He was a huge part of the Raptors best defensive run of the game, and he also complicated quite a few offensive possessions. When he’s the backstop this team wins quite a few minutes, especially if he’s paired with his buddy, Boucher.

Inc
Y. Watanabe6 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/-

Going through the motions, but the team isn’t even involving him in actions really, so an incomplete. A playstyle has taken hold and it might take the All-Star break for some of these guys to come back into the fold like they used to.

Inc
J. Champagnie2 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +5 +/-

Got a blow in.

A
Nick Nurse

He’s playing the winning players. Said Fred & Pascal love the minutes they’ve been getting lately, so this just seems to be a coach and his team understanding what that requires right now. He says he’s trusting the players, so I’m trusting him. Might’ve liked a couple more set plays against the Washington zone, but that’s being picky.

Things We Saw

  1. Beal remains one of the most dynamic and adaptable drivers in the NBA, and it should not be taken for granted that both OG and Pascal can step out on him and WIN. These are rare feats for players like that, but it’s become common to us.
  2. It BLOWS my mind that the Wizards won’t play Gafford more. I said in my preview for this game that they ran the risk of losing all of their defensive integrity with him off the floor and that’s exactly what happened…. Are they looking to trade him for cheap?? Please???
  3. Beat a decent team on their home floor. Good win.